What was plain to see on Friday, though, was that their first practice at TD Place stadium had boosted the spirits of Ottawa Redblacks players.

That was particularly so for four Ottawa-area players on the roster, but also for one of the few Canadian Football League veterans who played at the old Lansdowne Park facility then known as Frank Clair Stadium.

Paris Jackson, receiver

“All I remember is a whole bunch of brick and stone. It’s nice to see how it’s so open,” said Jackson, a 33-year-old who played for the B.C. Lions team that lost the 2004 Grey Cup Game 27-19 to the Toronto Argonauts. “I think everyone is in a little bit of shock seeing how beautiful this stadium is. Today went really well. But, as the weeks and days go on, you’ll feel the intensity (even more).”

John Delahunt, fullback

Delahunt was a teenager selling hot chocolate at that 2004 Grey Cup Game, or he was supposed to be. He admitted Friday to ducking away from his post several times to watch the game.

He also played a junior football game at Frank Clair Stadium, but the former Sooner who spent his first CFL season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013 said it was “kind of surreal” to step on the new turf at Lansdowne on Friday with construction workers watching from the stands during their lunch breaks.

“Just seeing the back of the (east) end-zone open now …” Delahunt said. “The place looks awesome, and I’m just really excited for (the first home game on) July 18th, getting started here.”

Connor Williams, defensive lineman

A second-round draft pick in 2013, Williams is a rookie who doesn’t have the same experience of playing in other CFL stadiums, but he attended University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and Ottawa Renegades home games at Lansdowne.

“It was spectacular then, but, coming here now and seeing the new turf, the new stands being put up here. … Everything is new, new, new. It’s tremendous. I’m very happy and so privileged to be part of it,” said Williams, 22.

“We are always ready to roll, but I think coming here now and finally being in our home definitely spiked the adrenalin and spiked the attitudes of people, we are ready to go.”

Justin Phillips, defensive end

Phillips asked his previous team, the Calgary Stampeders, to trade him to the new club in his hometown, and they did. Now 29, Phillips recalled watching the Ottawa Renegades lose by 20 to the Argonauts.

He expects 35 friends and family in Phillips jerseys behind the Redblacks’ bench in the south grandstand.

“This is a state of the art facility, class-act organization, and we are really excited,” he said. “Some guys that came from other teams were looking around in awe and saying, ‘This is going to be something.'”

Kevin Scott, long snapper

After playing five CFL seasons with the Tiger-Cats, Scott, 30, signed with the Redblacks as a free agent in February. He was the first player on the new playing surface Friday, several minutes before practice began.

He said he thought back to when he was a youngster sitting in the north grandstand, watching his Rough Riders heroes warm up before games.

“I was thinking about those little details, coming out here and how it was always my dream to play professional football and it was always my dream to play for Ottawa in the CFL,” he said. “Sometimes you lose sight of all the work you put in to get where you are, and it kind of takes you back a little bit.

“I took a moment to just kind of walk around, remember what it was like sitting in the stands, reminding yourself that this is a game, it’s fun, and this is what you have wanted ever since you were a kid. Never take anything for granted or take it lightly.”

Redblacks practices at TD Place remain closed to the public because of construction work on the facility. After two regular-season games on the road, next Thursday at Winnipeg and July 11 at Edmonton, they face the Argos in the home opener July 18.

“I have definitely had a few requests for tickets, and it’s going to be hard to accommodate everyone because, as we all know, it is a sellout,” Scott said. “That in itself is amazing. It’s going to be so exciting.”

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Local player Connor Williams might look mean, but he was thrilled to finally play on their new turf. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Eric Fraser keeps his eye on an approaching tennis ball during a drill. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Redblacks hit the practice field in the midst of a heat wave.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Jovon Johnson catches the ball high in the air during practice. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Chevron Walker holds onto the ball during a tackling practice. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Quarterback Henry Burris talks to the media after practice. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

A player carries a bag of sand back and forth across the field following practice for strength training. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Jon Gott, left, strains to pick up the weight ball during some strength training with teammates after practice. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Nate Menkin, right, takes a break with a teammate after hauling bags of sand back and forth across the field after practice for strength training. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Nate Menkin, left, and other players hoist huge weights after practice for strength training. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks
are done practicing and are ready to play for real.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Jovon Johnson (DB) chugs back some water during the long, hot practice. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Jovon Johnson keeps the ball under a tight grip during a tackling practice at the new stadium. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

New turf for the Redblacks. The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Redblacks held their first practice ever at the new TD Place stadium at Lansdowne Park Friday, June 27, 2014.

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